MEC wants traffic patrols to be enhanced
30 January 2012
In a bid to reduce road carnages and enhance law enforcement, Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison is considering to introduce a third shift so that traffic officers could be available 24 hours on the roads.
This was revealed by MEC Vusi Shongwe during a Road Safety Prayer function held in Standerton on Saturday, 28 January 2012.
Shongwe has said that the deployment of the officers would assist in reducing accidents. The department has not been able to reduce accidents by 30 percent this past Festive Season but instead the province has recorded 674 accidents which claimed 153 lives.
He said the department has embarked on numerous programmes over the years to educate road users and passengers on how to behave on the roads but accidents are still very high. Road users, the MEC said, needed to play their part by changing their attitudes and adopt safer driving habits.
Shongwe mentioned that most of these accidents were caused by human error, fatigue, overloading either of goods or passengers and un-roadworthy vehicles.
Many accidents were recorded in the Nkangala Region followed by Gert Sibande Region. Many of these accidents happened between 16h00 to 21h00 mainly from Thursdays to Sundays.
The department has meanwhile conducted 330 road blocks and nearly 400
000 vehicles were stopped. Nearly 5 000 summons were issued and 1200
vehicles were discontinued. 68 Drivers were also arrested for driving
under the influence of alcohol during the Festive Season.
“Motorists need to respect themselves, other road users and also abide by the rules of the road in order for us to bring down accidents,” the MEC said.
Shongwe has also called on the communities to ensure that they perform the necessary rituals in respect of people who die on the roads as this may have an impact on the accidents.
He explained that in terms of African Culture when a person has died in an accident, before they are buried certain rituals needed to be performed in relation to their burial, fetching their spirits from accident scenes so that the accident spot could not be haunted by evil spirits.
Shongwe said, “We need to practice rituals to the latter so that these roads do not have evil spirits that could be causing these accidents”.
He has meanwhile called on the faith communities to continue praying for the roads as the government believes divine intervention will assist in bringing an end to accidents and also assist in changing the attitudes of road users.
Shongwe has also mentioned that there was a need to address the problem
of congestion of the R23 road which connects Balfour and Standerton and also
links Gauteng and Kwa Zulu Natal provinces.
The MEC’s concern was that the road was very small and congested with vehicles travelling from Gauteng to KwaZulu-Natal and they use the road to avoid paying toll fees. He said the road should be upgraded and be made a toll route and lives would be saved.
Meanwhile, Pastor Xolani Luphondo of Standerton said most accidents
were caused by irresponsible youth who drink and drive.
He requested the youth to stay away from sex or unprotected sex, drugs and alcohol.
“The youth is our future and we must make sure that we advise them properly to ensure that our stay out of trouble,” said Luphondo.
He further said that pastors do support the initiatives of the
department of organizing road blocks and rest stops and also welcome the
prosecution of those who disobey the rules of the road.
The Prayer function was part of the department’s Arrive Alive Festive Season Campaign aimed at mobilizing all sectors of society to participate in reducing accidents.
It was among others attended by Gert Sibande District Mayor, Kgotso
Motloung, Lekwa Mayor, Matshidiso Morajane, Religious groups, senior government
officials and members of the community.
Enquiries:
Joseph Mabuza
Tel: 013 766 4055
Cell: 082 678 1450
Issued by Mpumalanga Community Safety, Security and Liaison
